How to get a two year old to stop sucking her thumb?

1. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 13 years ago

   How to get a two year old to stop sucking her thumb?
   
   Our two year old daughter sucks her thumb to sooth herself.  The dentist says it's changing the shape of her mouth, so we would like her to suck her thumb less and eventually stop.

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2. 57

   sir_tallestposted 13 years ago

   here the parent usually hub somethin very bitter on the finger and whenever the child puts it in his or her mouth and taste it....they'll think twice next time...very effective here....works like wonder

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3. 60

   Woman Of Courageposted 13 years ago

   Put a little hotsauce on her finger. You won't have that problem very long. I am sure your daughter will need some juice to drink afterwards.

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4. 83

   minesgmposted 13 years ago

   Every time you caught her doing it, give her task to do that she have to use her hand, or toys that she could play, and some use the gloves  to wear on the thumb.

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5. 59

   Rabia Sajjadposted 13 years ago

   First of all offer her some toy or some toffee like thing to suck because stopping her without providing alternate will make her stubborn and grumpy. it will eventually stop her sucking her thumb.Other way is to put some bitter or sour thing on her thumb,It's a bit cruel thing to do but it's so effective in fact.

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6. 60

   fundamentallifeposted 13 years ago

   My daughter is sixteen months old and all along, this was one of my biggest fears!
   
   I use the 'distraction and swap what you are doing, for this better thing' method. I use my cat as a distraction (because she is always looking for the cat) and then give her something else more interesting to do, than just sucking her thumb - like smacking something that makes a noise, speaks or plays a tune.
   
   If she is sucking her thumb to go to sleep, I can't offer any advice I am sorry my friend.
   
   AJ..

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7. 87

   JillKostowposted 13 years ago

   I don't think you can stop a child from sucking their thumb...I was a thumb sucker from birth.  My mom tried everything.  I mostly sucked my thumb while sleeping.  I had to have my thumb in my mouth and my fingers covering my nose so I could smell my pillow to go to sleep.  Somewhere in my early teen years I stopped on my own.  But till this day I sometimes will wake up with a soggy thumb, it mostly happens if it was a night I didn't sleep well.  Kind of embarassing to admit at age 30 but it does happen on rare occasions.  I am not aware of it only the fact of my soggy thumb lets me know it happens sometimes.  I don't think it affected me in any negative way, my teeth are fine and it caused no other problems other than driving my mother crazy.  Hope this helps.

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8. 61

   That's the wayposted 13 years ago

   My mom rubbed my thumb with chili paper and that was the end of thumb sucking for me . It wasn't very pleasant experience, I guess, but it worked for me

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